By Irina Nichifiriuc This is a Christmas story about the day my son saved the adults from their tantrums with his own special gift. When the holidays come our house fills up with family and friends and we are always happy … Continue reading
Tag Archives: play
How Your Attention Helps Children Play Together
by Chloe Saint Guilhem My twin boys and I had gone away for a couple of days together with a friend and her son, plus two close relatives. I’m not sure where the difficulties came from, but at the start of the trip our … Continue reading
How to Help Kids Face Their Fears with Play
Halloween might be scare season, but kids get scared even by everyday experiences. The teacher who gives a stern look could mean a child gets anxious about going to school. A trip to the doctors office for shots is … Continue reading
Helping My Son Connect With My New Partner
I’ve done years of wrestling with my boy, so it’s a well worn connection groove for releasing tension and rebuilding connection between us. This day we were both in fine form. I think he started it by putting a handful of sand down my pants, so once I’d emptied it out, the chase was on.
Giddy’up to Connection
One day I gave my 3 year old daughter a “horsey-ride” on my back. I’d done it many times before and she always enjoyed the closeness and bouncy thrill of the ride. However this day when I took her into … Continue reading
Baby Play: 3 Steps to Foster Play
To encourage play we have to appreciate and respect it. Before interrupting a baby – no matter how kindly and lovingly we plan to engage her – it’s best to first stop, observe, and at least wait for our baby to look towards us.
A Lesson From Babies…It’s Okay To Struggle
Last week’s parent/toddler class was all about feeling ‘stuck’. The previous week, 21-month-old Audrey had wedged herself between the bars of the wooden climbing structure and looked at me with a worried expression. “Are you stuck?” I asked. I moved … Continue reading
This Supersize Game Melts Sibling Struggles
Introducing The Great Sumo Play! My most recent fun idea for dissolving sibling struggles between my 6 and 12 year old is (drumroll): Sumo wrestling shirts! We get two of dad’s big t-shirts, stuff the front and back with bed … Continue reading
What Is Your Child Saying When She Cries?
For the last few weeks my five-year-old hasn’t wanted to play independently. She either wanted to play with a friend or watch a video. We took her to a Hand in Hand Parenting Play Morning where she and I did … Continue reading
follow us online